Rail-joint



B. B. McGOVERN.

RAIL JOINT.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 16. law.

1*, 31 4,41 2 Patented Aug. 26, 1919.

UNITED STATES To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, BERNARD B. Me- GOVERN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Frenchville, in the county of Clearfield and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rail-Joints; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to rail joints and the primary object of the invention is to provide an improved rail joint having means for engaging the cross ties, so as to a'bsolutely prevent the rails from creeping in relation to the ties.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved angle bar or fish plate having tongues struck out and downward from the outer edge thereof for engaging the side edges of the cross ties, so that the rails will 'be prevented from creeping in relation to the ties.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved means for bracing the angle bars or fish plates so as to prevent breaking and spreading of the same. A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved rail joint of the above character which is durable and efficient in use, one that is simple and easy to construct, and one that can be placed upon the market at a reasonable cost. With these and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof in which: I Figure 1 is a plan view of the improved rail joint, showing the meeting ends of the 1" rails in section.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the improved rail joint.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the 1 angle bars or fish plates.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral 1 generally in- I dicates the improved rail joint, which ineludes the angle bars or fish plates 2 and 3, g which unite the meeting ends of the rail sec- Specification of Letters Patent.

PATENT OFFICE.

BERNARD B. MCGOVERN, OF FRENCHVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

RAIL-JOINT.

Patented Aug. 26, 1919.

Application filed February 16, 1918. Serial No. 217,595.

tions -11: and 5 respectively supported on the ordinary cross ties 6. Each of the angle bars or fish plates 2 and 3 consists of a plate bent intermediate its side edges to conform to the configuration of the base and web of the rails and the plate is so bent as to form a vertical web engaging member 7 and an inclined base engaging member 8. The vertical web engaging member 7 is provided with a plurality of spaced apertures 9, which receive the bolts 10, which extend through registering apertures 11 formed in the web of the rails. The bolts are so arranged that certain of the same are to be positioned so that the heads will be positioned on one side of the rail while the others are positioned so that the heads will be on the other side of the rails, and certain of the openings 9 formed in the angle bars are squared so as to receive the square portions of the shank of the bolts adjacent the heads. Both of the bolts have threaded on their outer ends locking nuts 12. The bolts are arranged so as to be sufliciently near to the meeting ends of the rails. The lower longitudinal edges of the inclined portion 8 of the angle bars are provided with spaced out out portions or notches 13 which receive suitable retaining spikes 14 which hold the rails and joint in engagement with the ties.

One end of each fish plate is provided with downturned tongues 15, which are struck out from the inclined portion 8 of the angle bars and these tongues are so arranged as to grip the side edges of the cross ties 6 and thus prevent the rails from creeping on the ties.

Relatively short flat bracing plates 16 are provided for stiffening the angle bars and keeping the same from breaking and spreading, and the bracing plates are provided with a pair of spaced apertures 17 which receive the retaining bolts 10, which are positioned adjacent the meeting ends of the rail. These plates serve as additional bracing elements for the angle bars and prevent the same from bulging and spreading at their central portions.

In practice, I have found that the form of my invention, illustrated in the accompanyin drawings and referred to in the above escription, as the preferred embodiment, is the most eflicient and practical; yet realizing the conditions concurrent with the adoption of my device will necessarily vary, I desire l q fi p flfii t 1 h? fact that various minor changes' in" details of constrnction, proportion and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, when required Without sacrificing any of the advantages of my in; vention as set forth.

What is claimed is In a rail joint, the combination With the meeting ends of a pair of rail sections, of a pair ofcompanion clamping angle bars each including an angular rail web and; base engaging port-ion, a plurality of spaced tongues struck out from the longitudinal 09 m o th s wep min b; n a qdio -m en ch b amassin tbs f mmis ismsr irat ete a w his edge of the rail base engaging portion for en agement wi h the railmad. Supporting ties; and bracing plates secured to the rail Web engaging portion at the meeting terminals of the rail sections, as and for the purpose specified. v a

' In testimony whereof I afliX my signature in; presence; of woiwitne s BERNARD B. MOGOVERN, Witnesses: j

MATHEW MoGovnRN, CLEMENT DERMINER. 

